Reader Reviews
Love Story (Minerva Theatre, Chichester)
Back to Show Details| Score | Comment | Date |
 | Brilliant in every department: production, acting, music - Trish | 24 Jun 10 |
| Poignant tale of lost love The world premiere of a new musical “Love Story” has got off to a great start with sell-out performances. Howard Goodall was approached to write the score for Erich Segal’s iconic love affair, basing it more accurately on the novel rather than the Hollywood movie, which has proved to be a hugely successful result. The white monochrome set provides a striking backdrop for the musicians set on stage and slick efficient manoeuvres by the cast ensure the required props are seamlessly placed. Running for just 105 minutes without a break ensures the gathering emotions are not deflected. This is a poignant and compelling love story between Oliver, the son of a wealthy patriarch and Jenny a talented musician from the wrong side of town. She has a warm loving relationship with her widowed father, while Oliver is estranged emotionally from his. Inevitably the tragic and premature death of a young 25 year old girl is heartbreaking, but much of this story concentrates on their unfolding relationship and is in fact full of sharp wit and memorable lines. Almost a dozen songs enrich the romantic journey of the two central characters. Peter Polycarpou (Phil Cavilleri ~ Jenny’s father) gives a great performance so too Rob Edwards as the cold inhibited Oliver Barrett III ~ Oliver’s father. Emma Williams (Jenny Cavilleri) is faultless in her portrayal of the Italian/American and excels while singing and making pasta on stage! A highly polished performance both vocally and choreographically. Michael Xavier (Oliver Barrett IV) charms from the outset, a very natural performer as he follows through the emotions of love, anger, joy and heartache. Be prepared for a tearful conclusion! Jill Lawrie ~ Remotegoat - Remotegoat) | 13 Jun 10 |
| I must be one of the few people who never saw the film (or read the book) of Love Story but it seems to me it could have originated as a musical, so comfortable is the story framed in this new show from Howard Goodall and Stephen Clark .Goodall’s music is simply gorgeous, his best score since The Hired Man, and Clark’s book and lyrics convey the all too short love with an intensity and humour that moved me from laughter to tears but ultimately left me uplifted. Goodall’s own orchestrations for piano, acoustic guitar and string quintet are beautiful and singing is crystal clear. Rachel Kavanaugh directs with a deftness and elegance on a simple white set. With the audience on three sides, there are occasions when your sight lines and audibility are challenged, but not enough to damage your enjoyment. Emma Williams and Michel Xavier are excellent as the young couple. Williams, in particular, delivers her self-deprecating New York humour wittily and believably. The rest of the small cast of ten give very good support in a variety of roles and as a chorus. This was a glorious 100 minutes. I can’t wait to hear the music again. If there’s any justice, it won’t end its life in Chichester and wherever it goes, I’ll be following. - Gareth James | 11 Jun 10 |
| I saw it on the opening night. Wonderful experience, despite some apprehension knowing the plot. The audience applause went on for a good five minutes after the final bow. - David | 09 Jun 10 |
| Was not sure about this when I booked it but certainly was not in any way disappointed. I thought the show was brilliant and the cast deserved their standing ovation. The singing and acting were top notch and the score was excellent. Another success for Chichester. - Jon Davis | 08 Jun 10 |
| I wondered how they would do this, let alone get away with it, but fortunately my doubts were confounded by Howard Goodall and Stephen Clark's collaboration on Erich Segal's original novel and subsequent film. A sad tale that is ultimately uplifting. It could have been the ultimate cheese-fest, but instead they and the excellent cast led with a stunning performance by Emma Williams, touching and yet feisty as Jenny, and Michael Xavier's Oliver her Preppy rich-boy husband coming to terms with events beyond his control. All achieved without a hint of sentimentality. The staging, in the Minerva theatre, is austere but in a most beautiful way. A triumph for Chichester and another one West End bound and with Broadway to follow? - rds | 06 Jun 10 |
